Grosse Pointe North had a great time celebrating Homecoming this past weekend. Tom Torrento received North's Spirit Award for this year and the Grand Marshals were Brian Stackpoole, Dr. Kate Murray and Michelle Davis. Football Dance, Marching Band, Thor Dancing with our Dance Team, Senior Run Out, Tug of War, Pie Eating Contest, and of course our Cheerleaders are all part of what makes Pep Assembly so wonderful. Thank you to everyone who celebrated with our Norsemen!

On Toga Day during homecoming week, Grosse Pointe North Advanced Placement European History students recreated parts of Raphael's School of Athens, a Renaissance painting that features scholars and artists from Greco-Roman times thinking and learning under the same roof. They were very happy with the results.

This week Kindergarten and First grade classes kicked off their first lesson of The Second Step Curriculum taught by Mrs. Armstrong (Gen Ed. School Social Worker). The Second Step program builds a foundation for a positive, inclusive culture through developing social-emotional competencies, which include perspective-taking, empathy, processing emotions, understanding and resolving conflicts, and building positive relationships.

Isaac W., a Boy Scout in Troop 96 from Grosse Pointe North, spent his summer making a change at Monteith Elementary School as part of his Eagle Scout Project. Isaac spent last year developing a plan to update a project first began in 2012 by Michael Caruso. Isaac coordinated with staff on what needed to be done, assessed the needs of the project, raised money and executed the garden update this summer. Over the summer, Isaac took the garden apart, he put gravel under the large stones to prevent continued sinking, removed plants, purchased and planted some new plants and replaced the mulch. This garden is enjoyed by many both during school and after school!

Pierce took 144 fifth graders to camp last week for the 3rd annual 5th grade camping trip. Students had an amazing time at camp! Their experience included rockwall climbing, standing pole challenge, zipline, team building challenges, square dancing, lip synch competition, and a culminating pop bottle rocket launch challenge. A big thank you to all the families for your support in this fun experience for our kids, to the chaperones who make the trip possible, and to Pierce's PTO who helps ensure all students are able to participate!

Bruce Taher, the CEO of Taher, Inc., prepared a beautifully rich and authentic Spanish dish, Paella, for students and staff at Grosse Pointe North today. This meal is part of an initiative from Taher to share new menus and dishes from around the world to students.

Click here to see the latest athletic news from South.

Andrea is the new CTE Coordinators for the district and is very excited to take on this new role and continue the emphasis the district has placed on college and career readiness. She lives in Grosse Pointe Park and graduated from North in 2002. This is her 15th year teaching at Parcells. She has been the co-chair of the Family and Consumer Sciences department for 13 years. She currently teaches 6th-8th Family and Consumer Sciences and has a South student completing a Child Care Services Independent Study.

Andrea is so proud of the Child Care Services Program that was approved by the MDE last spring and she hopes to grow the program and inspire future teachers! CTE programs teach students practical job skills that are transferable to any future career, and she loves the partnerships we have made with our community to give students a competitive edge as they graduate.

The GPPSS CTE Department is seeking business and industry professionals to serve on district Advisory Board committees for the 24/25 school year. Please fill out this form if you are able to help us prepare our students for their future careers.

All secondary students are to have access to a technology learning device. The GPPSS BYOD Handbook supports the district's strategic plan for student learning and growth. Students use their technology learning device to access Schoology -- the GPPSS's Learning Management System.

Additionally, cell phones are OFF AND OUT OF SIGHT all day for middle school, and during class time for high school students. If students need to be reached during the school day, please continue to contact the main office.

Middle school students may use their phones before the first school bell and after the final school bell. High school students may use their phone during passing time and at lunch, as well as before and after school.

On Tuesday, Sept. 10th, the Board of Education held a regular meeting where they approved the following:

• Regular Meeting Minutes for August 27, 2024
• Closed Session Meeting Minutes for August 27, 2024
• Field Trip for North Band Trip to Toronto
  

You may review each item on the Board of Education agenda by visiting the district calendar and clicking the date of the meeting, then clicking the agenda, then each hyperlinked action item.

Please watch the district calendar on the website for the latest information on board and committee meetings. Upcoming BOE meetings now include:

• BOE Regular Meeting, TUESDAY, October 8, 2024, 6:30 pm, Brownell

Sept. 26- Schoology Parent Night

Oct. 4- Homecoming (SOUTH)

Oct. 25- North/South Tailgate

Nov. 3- District Open House